BLACKBURN Rovers boss Graeme Souness has admitted he made a big mistake when he returned to Anfield as Liverpool manager.

Souness joined the Reds in 1991 on the back of five years of success with Rangers. He led the Ibrox side to their first SPL title in nine years in 1987, and claimed four League Cups and two further league titles. He was also instrumental in breaking down religious barriers by signing former Celtic striker Maurice Johnston.

But a dream move to Merseyside for the former Kop idol turned sour, and he left the club in 1994 less than three years after taking over from Kenny Dalglish.

Souness said: "When I left Rangers, I had the feeling the grass was greener on the other side but now I realise I made a mistake.

"You can't go back and it's hard to say I wish I had never left because I'm now married again and very happy in my personal life and have a new baby.

"If I had stayed at Rangers, none of that might have happened. In football terms there are things I would like to change, but I would like to think that I did my bit and the club has since moved forward in leaps and bounds."

Souness's record at Anfield was solid, if not spectacular. He lost 45 of his 157 games, and led the team to the FA Cup in 1992.

He inherited a side which needed re-building following the Dalglish era, and brought through youngsters such as Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp.

He moved to Rovers in March 2000.